The funny thing is that when we try hard to make a name for ourselves it does not stick. Think about it- did you ever want to be called by a certain nickname? When we try to establish nicknames for ourselves it seems like it never works. Nicknames come from others. Nicknames come from our quirky human tendencies. Nicknames come from the observation and affection (or malice) of the people around us.
Even at your job or your business, if what you really focus on is making a name for yourself it more often than not turns out in disaster. But, if you concentrate on doing good work, putting out a quality product, or achieving some level of proficiency or excellence, then the whole "make a name" thing takes care of itself.
In Genesis 11 we see that whole process at work. These people described in the chapter decided that they wanted to make a name for themselves. As we discussed Sunday, they were actually, whether they knew it or not, going against God's intent for mankind. God had "commanded" or "instructed" that mankind should "fill the earth". These people we find in chapter 11 decided they did not want to be spread throughout the earth. So they took root and decided to "make a name for themselves". They tried to establish or find their identity in what they did and what they made and what they accomplished by the work of their hands. It became their whole goal and focus. And it worked out about as well as when we try to make our own nicknames- it didn't last.
As I have reflected on last weeks discussion and thought about that issue I have found myself reminded that my true identity is / needs to be completely wrapped up in who I belong to. My identity needs to be all about the fact that I have been redeemed by love and that I have been created by a loving God. And I need to be satisfied with that. Now don't get me wrong- I think that striving for excellence in the things we do is valuable, commendable, important, admirable... the list of positive adjectives goes on and on. But, like so many things in our walk with God, it comes down to our motivation for being excellent. If our true motivation is, indeed, to make a name for ourselves, then we will ultimately fail. We may enjoy popularity or profit for a while, but it will not last and it is not eternal. But if we strive for excellence because we feel it is our responsibility to use the talents God gave us to the fullest- if we want to show the character of God by doing all we can to do things well- if we want to show the world the goodness of God and not the goodness of self- then we move, I believe, in the right direction.
Perhaps rather than making a name for ourselves we should allow God to make our name for us.
Just Keep Swimming!
Jon
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